Leeds United's Pablo Hernandez issues apology for Leicester City reaction after Marcelo Bielsa omission at Crystal Palace

Pablo Hernandez has apologised for his reaction to being subbed against Leicester City after missing Leeds United's trip to Crystal Palace.

The Whites fell to a 4-1 loss at Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon, their second successive defeat by the same scoreline in Premier League action.

United were without a number of injured first team players with Kalvin Phillips, Diego Llorente and Jamie Shackleton all sidelined.

Club record signing Rodrigo was also missing after testing positive for coronavirus last week.

Hernandez - who played a crucial role in United's promotion from the Championship last term - was left out of the trip to the capital by head coach Bielsa, despite being fully fit for the clash in London.

The Spaniard reacted angrily to his substitution against Leicester earlier in the week and could be seen kicking a water bottle as he reached the dugout at Elland Road in the 67th minute.

Bielsa revealed post-match at Palace that his playmaker was absent due to selecting the best possible 18 to get a result against Roy Hodgson's men.

There was, though, a spot on the bench made available for Under 23s midfielder Jack Jenkins.

"Pablo is fit, he wasn't in the squad for today's game," Bielsa said afterwards in south London.

"I evaluate all the players for the upcoming game and didn't pick him for this game. If you feel the decision was strange, I choose the 18 players I feel are apt for the game."

Hernandez has now apologised for his reaction against the Foxes on Monday following his absence on Saturday afternoon, breaking his silence on the matter through his Instagram account.

"Apologies for my gesture the other day," Hernandez wrote.

"It was a reaction that nothing describes my way of being or my way of thinking. I have always represented and will represent the values ​​of this club and this fans as they deserve."